Nittany Lions go on pinning streak at MSU

February 1, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team remained unbeaten on the year, pinning its way to a 42-3 win at Michigan State Friday. Coach Cael Sanderson's crew recorded four falls in the Big Ten road win.

The dual began at 157, where junior All-American Dylan Alton stayed unbeaten with a solid 8-3 win over Roger Wildmo. All-American David Taylor, ranked No. 1 at 165, remained unbeaten as well with a first period pin of Bobby Nash. Taylor got the fall at the 1:53 mark, his 11th of the season and the 48th of his career.

All-American Matt Brown then dominated Spartan Nick Kaczanowski, rolling to an 18-3 technical fall at the 7:00 mark, including 4:48 in riding time. All-American Ed Ruth matched Taylor with a first-period pin of his own, getting a quick fall over John Rizqallah at the 0:38 mark. Sophomore Morgan McIntosh continued Penn State's pin-parade, locking up a second period cradle to pin Nick McDiarmid at the 4:23 mark. The win sent Penn State into intermission with a 26-0 lead.

At 125, Nittany Lion Jordan Conaway stepped in for second-ranked Nico Megaludis, who did not make the weekend trip due to illness. Conaway, a national qualifier last year at 133, dominated MSU's Brenan Lyon, posting a 15-4 major decision.

Red-shirt freshman Jimmy Gulibon followed with strong performance of his own in a 10-3 decision with over 2:00 in riding time. Undefeated true freshman Zain Retherford pinned Brian Gibbs at the 4:42 mark. Junior Andrew Alton took to the mat at 149 and closed out a dominant Penn State performance with a 9-5 victory over Spartan Nick Trimble.

Penn State posted a lop-sided 23-2 edge in takedown and notched four pins, the most in a dual this year for the Nittany Lions. Taylor improved to 22-0 with the win, including 11 pins, six tech falls and five majors. His 48 pins are just five shy of Penn State's all-time record of 53. He is 122-3 all-time and is now eighth on Penn State's all-time wins list. Taylor also improved to 30-0 all-time in Big Ten duals and 51-0 all-time against Big Ten competition.

Retherford remained unbeaten and moved to 22-0 with four pins, two tech falls and seven majors. Dylan Alton improved to 14-0 on the year with three pins and a major. Brown moved to 22-1 with six pins, three techs and seven majors and McIntosh improved to 21-2 with four pins and nine majors. Andrew Alton moved to 8-0 as well.

Penn State moves to 12-0 on the year, 6-0 in Big Ten action. The Nittany Lions visit Michigan Sunday. The winner will clinch at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title.